Gotta give points to Earth, Wind & Fire if for nothing else than their lasting influence and impact on rap and R&B. They've been sample by everyone from LL Cool J, to Eazy E, to Lupe Fiasco and dozens more. You know you're on the right track musically when literally generations of new artists borrow your hooks for their own purposes. It's not necessarily my favorite style of music but I can appreciate it all the same. Thumbs up.

My rating: ★★★✩

• #485 Pearl Jam - Vitalogy

Not bad, save for a couple of weird tracks (Bugs, Stupidmop). The familiar tracks (Corduroy, Better Man, etc.) saved it for the most part, and the remainder that I was not already familiar with were definitely listenable. Still, it's no Ten (#209 on the list).